Tots need toys, group says

By By Michael Abernethy / Times-News

Published: Monday, December 10, 2012 at 04:33 PM.

Watches for boys and girls

Axe spray gift sets

Col
ogne
and perfume gift sets

Make-up

Jewelry

■ For more information, contact
Burlington
’s Toys for Tots at 336-226-0600. For a list of locations to donate and the ability to donate funds directly online, visit its website at
Burlington
-
nc.toysfortots.org.

Toys for Tots needs your help to make Christmas merry for kids in AlamanceCounty.

As of Sunday, families of 2,300 children had applied for toys and gifts. Volunteers had filled about 1,900 of those requests from the shelves of IntegrityCommunityChurch in Burlington, where the Marine Corps League Alan D. Lam Detachment runs the local operation each year.

Those shelves are getting bare. The league will continue to take applications for toys through Wednesday.

“We’re just low on toys. We especially need toys in the 2-and-under and over 10 years old categories,” said Pete McLarty, a volunteer with the league who processes Toys for Tots applications.

Toys for Tots gives to children up to 16 years old and it’s sometimes a challenge getting enough items for boys and girls in middle and high school.

Peg Hansen, a coordinator with Burlington’s Toys for Tots, said gifts will be delivered to AlamanceCountyfamilies by Dec. 21.

“Our objective is to make sure that for every application we get, every child gets enough presents to make it feel like Christmas. We want them to feel good about Christmas,” Hansen said.

She stressed that all donations made here go straight to children in AlamanceCounty. Every penny donated goes toward buying toys and gifts for children.

“None of us get salaries or mileage or anything like that,” Hansen said.

Toys can be dropped off at dozens of stores and locations throughout AlamanceCounty, including banks, car dealerships and businesses.

McLarty said more families have requested toys for the first time this year.

“We’re hearing a lot more stories of people who were doing fine but they were laid off all of a sudden,” she said. “I’m just glad we’re here to help and that the people of AlamanceCounty do help.”

As she’s processed applications, she’s been surprised at the number of children asking for books this year. And more kids than usual are asking for art supplies and craft sets — like jewelry-making kits, model car and plane sets and other hands-on activities.

“We’ve given out every single one of the art sets that we’ve gotten,” McLarty said.

But Toys for Tots will take any toy for any age child and make sure it gets under the tree.

“We’re in need right now for toys. But I also know we’re going to be OK. I just know. God is good. Every child that signs up with us will have something,” McLarty said.

---------

Toys needed

Here are some items Toys for Tots needs to be able to put presents under AlamanceCounty trees this year:

Toys for toddlers and children 2 years old and younger

Remote-control cars

Dolls

Doll strollers

Barbie accessories

Model plane and car kits

Art, drawing and paint sets

Knitting and crochet sets

Jewelry-making sets

Erector sets

Toy trains, like Thomas the Tank Engine

Legos

Books

Science kits

Watches for boys and girls

Axe spray gift sets

Cologne and perfume gift sets

Make-up

Jewelry

■ For more information, contact Burlington’s Toys for Tots at 336-226-0600. For a list of locations to donate and the ability to donate funds directly online, visit its website at Burlington-nc.toysfortots.org.